The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-24
POINTERS ON POKER.
Drift.

Hummer, as he took seat at the table with his daughters young man. q can't say as Pm much of card player nowadays, but when I was a young man l was looked upon as about as good at all games, indoor and out, as any one that used to train in our crowd |; though don't say it to boast.
 "Of course Eve forgotten most all of it now, and l don't suppose I can tell one card from another, but there was time could play almost any game with cards you could name, casino, forty -eights, low, high, jack, euchre. Why, when I was out in company at party where they had card playin' they all used to come to me to decide any close questions, just as quick as they'd go to a book, and when l give lem decision twas just about allus right, now, tell you.
 "Oh, yes; but that was good many yers ago, as I say, and I expect Pll display my. ignorance tryin' to play with you, but while mother and Liz is entertaining the company in the parlor l guess can play enough to make it entertainin', till your girl gets back. You needn't blush, my boy; young fellows has been courtin' ever since the days of our first fore fathers, and when an honorable young man comes right up to the house in a manly sort of way, and boldly asks the privilege ef showin' himself off before my daughter, just say amen, so let it be, and there ain't much won't do to make it pleasant for him l; no, sir
 "But about these cards. What game 'd we better play?"
 "Well, poker is the popular thing just now," said the youg man hesi- tatingly.
 "Poker, poker" said the old man, "why, l don't just remember that name, but if you'll sort of post me up a little on it l guess can catch onto it in few games"
 The young man explained the lead- ing features in a few hands, and then the old gentleman announced himself as ready to commence.
 ''It is usual to use little money in the play to make it interesting" ven- tured the young man, "but perhaps we can get along without it."
 "Not bit of it, sir; not bit of it :" answered Mir. Hummer. "When I'm doin' the entertainin' want to do it up right every time, if it does take a little money. No, sir, we'll play the game just as it's written" and Mir. Hummer strengthened out one leg so that he could get into his trousers pocket conveniently, and produced a handful of silver.
 "All right" laughed the young man, "well cut for deal. Low deals Il get it. Now you put in twenty five cents for what is called the ante, and twenty five more if you want to draw cards, and do the same. Now we bet"
 MT. Hummer lost one dollar on the first hand, won the young mans ante on the next, lost two dollars on the next, won another ante, then lost four dollars, with scared expression, when the young man suddenly raised him from four to ten dollars; and then it was the old mans turn to deal.
 The young man took two cards, and MT. Hummer needed three. The young man bet one dollar. Mir. Hummer hesitated, but saw him half a dollar better
 The young man calmly made it five.
 Mir. Hummer glanced at him in- quiringly, and seemed somewhat be- wildered, but reached into his breast pocket for his flat wallet, and went five better.
 The young man laughed in an off hand and pitying sort of way, and producing little bank book, he laid down five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty dollars. He was about to put on the last flyer in the book, when he suddenly happened to think of his laundry and refrained. MT. Hummer looked on aghast, and the young man with smile put forth his hand to draw in the money, when the old gentleman calmly laid down two twenty dollar bills, and five dollar gold piece, and remarked qui- etly, as he displayed three aces and brace of kings; "I guess have to issue a call"
 Erastus turned pale and quivered perceptibly as he exhibited his hand, for all that that young man possessed was hectic flush.
 Just then the ladies came back, and MT. Hummer excused himself, as was his wont, and slipped quietly out into the hall and up to bed.
 Mir. Artemas Holleywood did not remain so long as usual that night, his heart was too full, and he kept dividing sixty five dollars, by wages at seven dollars and half, and getting a quotient in weeks, and it was very